Box stacking apparatus



A. A. NEJA Box STACKING APPARATUS April 24, 1951 ,L z al i. W13/5.5i i 7 2l 289 INVENTOR.

Filed Deo. 6, 1947 Qt. .F 0 .n

April 24, 1951 A. A. NEJA Box STACKING APPARATUS 7 Sheer,s shee,E 2

Dec. 6J

April 24, 1951 y A. A, NEJA 2,550,587`

BOX STACKING APPARATUS April 24, 1951 A. A. Nr-:JA

Box sTAcKING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 6, 1947 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 April 24, 1951 A, A, NEJA 2,550,587

BOX STACKING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 6, 1947 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 w. 8. 11|* 10.

j 96a. .141 j! z 244 25a Z5 l INVENTOR. i! Aff/5,9055 MVA BY A April 24, 1951 A. A. NEJA 2,550,587

BOX STACKING APPARATUS Filed Dec. e, 1947 '7 sheets-sheet e @ggf-1d llllnl April 24, 1951 Filed Dec. 6, 1947 7 Shees-Sheet 7 gil atentecApr. A24, 1951 UNITED STATES l.irrgm'r OFFICE 2,550,5sr -Y Box s'rAoKING APPARATUS c Ambrose Neja, Anaheim, Calif. Application December 6, 19.4.7, serial N0. 790,11?

Thisinvention relates to a box stacking ap-l paratus.

The general object of the invention is to pro-V vide `a box stacking apparatusy including .novell means forplacing boxes fed singly and horizon-v tally into a stack one upon the other. f A more specific object of the invention is to provide a box stacker including novelmeansfor lifting and forsupportingboxes to form a stack.,l 10

a box stacker including novel means `for feeding A further object of the invention is to provide boxes to a stack. e y

. Another object ofthe invention is to Vprovide a box stacker including novel means` fondischargf ingastackofboxes. c I 1 A further object of the invention is to provide a box stacker including novel means for lifting boxes. Y

1 A further object-,of the invention is to provide a box stacker including novel means for supporting a box after it has been lifted.

L Another object of the invention is to provide a box stacking apparatus including Va no vel table forreceiving the'stacked boxes. l Anotherobject of the invention is to Vprovidea novelmeans for controlling the operation4 of Aal box stacker.

, Other objects and advantages of my invl-ntionv will be apparent from the following description taxenl in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

, Fig. llis a side elevation view of my improvedl ybox stacker;

L Fig. 2K is a front4 elevation viewV of the box stacking mechanism;

Fig v3 is a top plan view of the box stacking and -conveying mechanism;

j .Fig. l is a fragmentary sectional View taken on Fig. 7 is a sectionaldetail taken on line 'I-"Ir iny Fig., ,6,s howing my improved safety stop mechanism;

Fig. 8 is asectional detail taken on line 8-8 in YFigfi, showing the arrangement for'positively Q ducing boxes into the stacker; F1 si showingparts in elevation;

supporting AmechanismsA taken on line Iii-E@ of Fig., ,9;,Wi-th; parts in diiferent relative positions;

I9-i s a sectional-view taken on line 9--19 of 2.0 oiaims. (01.,214-6) Fig. i1 is a view similar to Fig. 10 taken'genjerally on line I i-II of Fig. 9, with-parts further disposed in different positions; i

Fig. i2 is a sectional view taken on line I2-I2 of Fig. 1 and showing details of the box support- ,.Fig.v 16 is a sectional view taken as indicated generally by line l-I 6 in Fig. 3, and

Fig. 1'7 is an enlarged, fragmentary view taken substantially on lin'e Ile-l1, Fig. 2`.

Referring to the drawings by reference characters, I have shown my invention as embodied in la box stacking and handling apparatus which is indicated generally at ID. As shown, the apparatus includes a frame II, feed conveying apparatus I2, driving means I3, box elevating means Icto raise individual boxes to a stacked position,

, support means I5, adapted to support stacked boxes, and discharge conveying means I6 to convey a lstack' of boxes away from the stacker. Y

rIhe frame Ilias shown includes spaced verti#` cal front members I'I and I8, rearmembers I9 and20, a base front tie member 2| and a similar rear tie member 22.- Angle members 23, 24, 25 and 2E connect the tops and bottoms of the members I'I, I8, I9 and 20. An angle cross member 2,1, disposed intermediate the length of angle4 vn'iembers 'I9 and 20, supports a pair of spaced.

fixed to a cross member I9' connecting the upper ends of the uprights I9 and 20. Extending rear.-

` wardly from and rigidly fastened to the cross member 2l, I arrange a pair of angle supports 32 and 33, the outer ends of which are supported b braces 34 and 35. v The upper ends of the braces 34 and 35 Yare secured to the cross member I9 as shown at 36,

.-F1g,.f10;is a sectional View ofthe lifting and Fig. 1. Adjacent the base of the apparatus I arrange a pair of supporting angle members 31 and 38. These latter angles are attached to the vertical frame members and form a support by which the apparatus may be bolted to the floor. The structure remaining below these last mention'edY angles may be recessed into the floor.

The feed conveying apparatus |2 (Figs. 3, 5 and 6) includes a pair of delivery chains 33 engaging sprockets 40 arranged on a shaft 4|. The shaft 4| is journaled in bearing blocks 42 fixed to spaced angle members 43 and 44. The angle 43 supports a switch 45, adapted to be actuated by an incoming box through an arm 46 pivoted at 41. Between the side member 31 and the angles 43 and 44 I arrange a pair o f supporting plate members48 and 49 which support shafts 49- for rollers 50, 5|, 52 and 53.

rlhe rst roller 50 is divided in the center and has a box engaging stop arm 55 (Fig. '1) rotatably supported ori a reduced roller 56 intermedi-v ate the length of this roller. The portion 5,6 has a downwardly depending arm 51 adapted to be engaged between two stops 58 andI 69 on anA arm 66 fixed upon a shaft 6| which is journaled in bearing blocks 62 xed to the side members 48 and 49. The shaft 6| has a dependent arm 63 xedthereto as at 64. This arm 63 slidably supports a'rod 65 (Fig. 5, Fig. 6 and Fig. '1), one end of which is provided with a spring 66. The other end of the rod 65 engages one arm of a bell-'crank 61 which is supported at its lower end to a pivot 68. The other arm oi the bell crank extends upwardly as at 18;' A spring 1|, xed to a web 12, normally urges the lever 16 and the rod65 to an inward position as shown in Fig. 6.

A switch y13 is fastened to the web 12 and is adapted to be actuated by the arm 18. rThus it maybe seen that a box entering upon the rollers 5,0 to 54 will strike "the lever 18, actuating'the switch '13 and'moving the rod '65 to turn the shaft 6|, thus moving the arm 60 to a position asshown by the dotted lines inFig. 7 so that the stops 58 and 59wijll confine thje'arm 51 and preventmovement or" the stop arm 'tothus prevent another box'from crowding in upon therst box.' 'A spring 14 Vattached to one end of the arm 60 aids in lifting the arm.

The' rollers 58 and 52 are driven by a motor `through chains V16 and 11 and sprockets 18, 19 and' V8|). The motor 15 is controlled by the switches 45 and 13 and drives the rollers 50 and 5'2 continuously until "another box moves up on the incoming conveyor, thereby depressing lever 4.6and opening vswitch 45,. Y.

Arranged between the plates 48 and 49 and supported thereby, Ir provide a pair cf spaced chain guides 82 and 8.3. These chain guides, as shown in Figl, include a'horizontal upper portion83a, a horizontalbottom portion 83h andan inclinedv end portion63c. The construction is such that a tip `83d which advances the chain close torollersto be presently described is 'provided. Overthe chain guides delivery chains 84 andl'85 operate vand these are supported at the point opposite lthe chain guide tip 83d by sprockets 86 and 81 which are arranged on a shaft 88 jurnaled in bearing blocks 89v and 90 xed to l supports 9| and 92, which in turn lare attached to the plate 49.

`One end of the shaft 88 supports a sprocket 95, fitted with a chain 96 which is adapted to be driven by a sprocket 81 supported by a shaft 98 journaled in bearing blocks 99 andl0'0. Bearing block 88. is nxed "to the side angleI member 41 'and'bearing block |60 to the outer end of a clutch support frame |0|, the inner end of which is fixed to the angle member 31.

The shaft 98 also supports a sprocket |04 for a drive chain |05 driven Yby a sprocket V|86 on a motor |86. A clutchmechanism '|81 of convene tional design is xed to the shaft 98 "and is adapted to be operated by a solenoid |08 by' means of a lever ||0 supported by an arm fixed to the support frame |0|. The motor |06 is adapted to run continuously and be caused at the proper time, by the clutch |01, to drive the sprocket 91, chain 96, sprocket 95 and in turn delivery chains 84 and 85. The chains 84 and S5 include aligned pairs of special links ||5 as shown in Fig. 8, which support cylindrical box engaging members H6 and ||1. The links ||5 are located in spaced relation on the chains 84 and 85.

' A pair of box retarding members |20 and |2| (see Figs. 4 and 6) are pivotally supported as at |22 and |23 to the chain guides 82 and 83 and each has depending arms |24. Spring |25, extendine from the arms |24 and the plate 48, serve to retain the guides in the position shown in Fig. 4. Incoming boxes are adapted to pass overl these members |26 and |2|, depressing them. When the boxes have passed the members they move upwardly and prevent reverse movementv of the box.

The driving means I3 (see Fig. 1) includes a motor |30, tted with a conventional brake mechanism |3| (Fig. 2) to quickly stop the apparatus at a desired point. The motor |30 drives a shaft |32 which has a sprocket |33 thereon. The sprocket |33 drives a chain |34 which drives a sprocket |35 xed on a shaft |36. The shaft |36 is journaled in bearing blocks |31 and |38, xed to the braces 34 and 35. The outer endsof the shaft |30 are ttedwith crank arms |39 and |40` the ends of which pivotally support at |a one end of chains |4| and |42. The chains |4| and |42 run over sprockets |43 and |44, fixed to shafts |45 and |46 journaled in bearing blocks |41 and |48.

The other ends of the chains |4| and |42 are attached as at (see Fig. 9) to the box elevating means |4 which includes opposed sliding plates and |6|, disposed respectively between forward'uprig'ht angle member |1 and rear member I9 and forward'upright angle member I8 and rear member 20. The'mechanism on the two sides of the machine is complemental and therefore only the left side is shown in detail and will be described. A pair of bearing blocks |62 and |63, xed to the plate |60, journal a shaft |64 which pivotally supports a pair of box engaging arms |65 and |66. The lower ends of the arms |65 and |66 are provided with lips |61 which are adapted to engage the bottom of a box.

The upper end of the arm |66 is fitted with a rod |68 (Fig. 9) which extends rearwardly through an opening |69 in the plate |60 (Fig. 9) and has an enlarged end- |10 thereon. A'spring |1|, arranged about the rod |68 between the enlargement |10 and the plate |60, normally urges the arms |65 and |66 to the position shown in Fig. 2.

The upper end of engaging arm |65 is slightly longer than the upper end of arm |66 and is also tted with a rod |12 (Figs. 9 and l0) which extends rearwardly'through'an opening |13 in the plate |60 and Vis journaled in a sliding bearing |14' and is terminated by an enlargement |16. A spring |16, arranged about the rod |12 between the bearing |14 and the enlargement |15, cooperates with the before-mentioned spring |1| about the rod |68. The bearing |14 is fixed to the midportion'of an arm |18 which is pivo'tally supported as at |19 to a bearing block |88 fixed to therear side of the plate |60. The upper end of the `arm |18 is tted 'with a the plate 299.

Y A ro1ler"|92, the function of which -will be flater described. i y The plate |69 is fitted at each corner thereof with rollers |85 (see Fig. 1) which are supported on shafts |85. The rollers are adapted to roll on tubular guides |86 and |81 which are fixedv toi* the top angle member 23 and the .bottom member 24. i Y l `VV`T4Arranged between the top angle member 23 and a side brace |99, I provide a cam support |9| (see Figs;` -l and 2) which supports a cam surface plate |92 which is adapted to control the movement of the roller |62.- Adjacent the upper end of the cam plate I 92 and pivotally supported ausat |93, I arrange a cam guide arm |94 having an inclined upper surface |96- which is a continuation of the inclined upper surface |96a on in Fig. 1 0. `While the roller is at the top of its movement'the arm |94 willreturn to its normal position "and as the rollerv |82 descends it will be guided by the beveled edges |96 andlild` to thus travel, onfthe downward stroke, against the Yforward face of the cam plate |92, moving the' box engaging arms |65 and '|66 to a position shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 10 so that they Y may pass across the ends of a box to'later snap in beneath the box preparatory lto raising the y box toa stacked position.

The' support means I5, `adapted to support boxes 'as the stack is being formed, is also symmetrical`on both sidesof the apparatus and includes' a lplate 299 (see Fig. 9) located directly below the plates |69 and I6I but on the opposite sides ofthe tubular guides |86 and |91. `'I'he plate' 299 is similarly fitted with rollers 29|, adaptedto engage and be guided bythe guides v|96and |81. A pair of bearing blocks 2-92 and 293 are attached to the plate 296 and journal a shaft 2.94 about which are mounted supporting arm's'295 and 296. The'upper ends of the arms 295 and 296 are connected byv a cross member 291 (see Fig. 12). The cross member has an inwardly directed horizontal ledge 298 which is adaptedto receive and support the lowermost box of a stack of boxes. Arod 299 is pivotally supported at one end as `at2|9 '(Fig.'l2) to the arm 295, the other end 'of the rod being journaled in aV guide 2| I, mounted on` an upright frame member 2|2. A pin "2I3 vlimits the inward travel of the rod 299. A springA 2M aboutythe .rod 299 normally urges the rod,` and thus the `arms 295 and 296, to the position shown in Fig. 12'.

A'limit switch 2I5 (Fig. y1)-the action of which will be later described, is mountedv on the upright frame member |91andis adapted to be actuated by a cam 2|6 xed to the rear face of areaso'n to be later described. The plate 226 is 6. issheldagainst undue rotation by a catch-23|) pivotally supported as at 2-32 and normally urged to the position shown in Fig. l by a spring 233. A dog support 234 (see Figs. 1, 11 and 17), fixed to the shafts |85 which support the rollers `|85 on the plate |69, pivotally supports a dog 235 wlriichV is adapted to engage and move one of the pegs'221 to move the timer plate 216 stepby-step to the next position. When the longer peg 228 comes into correct position, it is adapted to strike cam surface 2-36 of a lever 239, xed to a shaft 249, journaled in bearing blocks 24| on the uprights I9 and 29 (see Fig. l), and raise arms 242, secured on the shaft 249, thus releasing the end 243 of the arm 242 from engagement with a lever 244, which is pivotally supported as at 245 to the cam support |9|. A grooved roller 246, rotatably supported on the plate |69, serves as a guide for the arm 244. When the arm 242 ismoved a lever 2141 actuates a switch 249 mounted on the upright I9. A lever 259 connects the arm 244 with the plate 299 and thus it may be seen that the lever 244 having been disengaged from-the arm 242, on the downward stroke of the plate |69, as shown by the dotted lines of Fig. 9, and guided by the roller 246, will move to a position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1 and through the lever 259 will lower the plate 299 to a position as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 9.

Pivotally mounted as at 255 and 256 to supports 251 and 258, which are in turn attached to front and rear tie members 21| and 22, I arrange a pairfof table lifting and lowering arms 259 and 269. In their uppermost position, as shown in Fig. 9, the inner ends of the arms 259 and 269 are adapted to be supportedby a pin 26|, secured by means of a bracket 262 to the plate 299. Intermediate the support 26| and the pivots 255 and 256, I arrange on the arms 259 and 269 a pair of table supporting shafts 263 and 264. The shaft 263 is tted to support bearings 265 which in turn are fixed to the forward end of a frame 266 of a box supporting table. The rear shaft 264 supports the rear of the frame 266. The frame 266 is ttedwith a mounted on a shaft 229, journaled in bearing block 239 mounted onthe upright I9. The plate brace 261 and rotatably supports a series of rollers 268 which are adapted to receive an incoming box from the chains 84 and 85.

Thus it may be seen that upon downward movement ofthe plate 299, the support pin 26| will descend to lower the inner ends of the arms 259 and 266 and will lower the table to a position shown in Fig. 11 and thus allow a completed stack of boxes tor'be engaged -by the outgoing conveying mechanism I6.

A pair of box stops 219 and 21| (Fig. 3) are fixed tothe shaft 263 adjacent the forward end of the table frame 296. Also attached to the shaft 263 at the central portion thereof, I arrange a lever 212 which is held in position by a shaft 213 journaled in a frame 214, pivotally mounted as at 215 to the front angle member 2|. A spring 216 normally urges the shaft 213 into the position shown in Fig. 3. An arm 211, fixed' to the forward end of the shaft 213 and guided by a section of the frame 214, is adapted to actuate a switch 218 when the shaft 263is rocked when a box strikes the stops 219 and 21| and shifts the lever 212.

When the table is in lowered position, the lever 212'is brought out of engagement with the rod 213, thus allowing the shaft 263 to pivot and lowering the stops 219 and 21| to a position as shown in Fig. l1 to allow the stack to move out of- .the apparatus. A spring 21e-returns the stops 2:1,0yand21-I to their normal position after the stackV has passed them.

The outgoing conveying mechanism I6 consists of a p air of chains 280-and 28| (see 'gs. 3 and 6) @Pera-ting over inner sprockets 232 and 283, which aire-in turnrotatablymounted on the outer sides of the chain guides 82 and 83. The outer ends of the chai-ns 260- and 28| are secured to outer sprockets 204 and 285, mounted on ka shaft 286 ournaled` inr bear-ing blocks 281 and 288, which are secured to bearing supports 289 and 290, secured tothe angle 2|. The chains 286 and 26| are supported on theirupper side-by chain guides 29| and 292.-.

Also mounted on the shaft 286, I- arrange a stack transfer mechanism (see Fig. 3) which consists of three chains 293-, their outer ends being rotatably mounted on sprockets xed to a shaft 294 lwhich is journaled in bearing blocks 235 and 236. which mayin turn be fixed to the floor on `which the apparatus is mounted. The center cha-in is adapted to support the center of the bottom box of the stackv to prevent the breaking-.of the bottom of this box by the inwardly moved outer chains until the stack can be trans-k ferred to the larger conveyor chains 291 and 293 which` are also secured by means of sprockets 299 to -the shaft 294'. A motor-'30.0 is adapted to drive the chains 280 and 28|, the transfer chains 293- and the larger final conveyor chains 291 and 298, ail. cfg-which may operate continually.

A limit switch 30|. (Fig. 3)- is -xed to the angle 2| and has an arm 302- which extends outwardly and upwardly and is adapted to be actuated by anoutgoiug stack of boxes.

In `theevent the apparatus should attempt to stack more than the desired number of boxes, nine in the combination shown, the top box will strike a lever 346 (see Fig. l), pivotally supported asV at' 31| toa support 3|2 which is mounted on the cross member 3i)V of the guides 28 and 23. The lever 3H) is -fixed to a rod 3|3 which extends downwardly and has an arm 3| thereon. The arm 3|i is fitted with aspring SI5 which is adapted toactuate a switch 3|6, mounted on a support, SI1 which is in turn fixed to the frame Il,...L The-lower end of the rod 3|j3 is xed to a safety arm 313 which is in turn pivotally supported as at 319 to the angle cross members 21. ln the event a box should become broken or if a box should not fully enter the machine and the apparatus should start to attempt to stack such a box, the lever 3| 8 would be contacted, thus raising the rod 3|3 and actuating the switch 3|@ to cut off the power to the entire machine.

Fixed to the brace 34, I arrange a pair of switches 320 and 32|` (see Figs. 2 and 3). The switch 320I isadapted to be actuated by a timer 322 fixed to the shaft |36, while the Switch 32| isadapted to be actuated by a cam 323, also x-ed to the shaft |36. The brace 35 supports a third. switch .325 which is adapted to be actuated by timer arms 326 and 321-, xed to the shaft |36. It may be seen that the switches 320, 32 and 325 operate in connection with the raising and lowering of the plate |60 as the mechanismused in this operation is also iixedto the shaft |66.`

In operation of the apparatus, a box being conveyed by the chains 39 is delivered thereby onto the rollers 50, 5|, 52and 53. The box strikes the lever 19, closing one sideY of the switch 13, thus energizing the clutch solenoidl |08 and starting movement of the chains 84 and 85. One of the box engaging members H601' |.1. moves the box 8 into kthe stacker and through thefsi 2-10-,and 21| and the lever 212 closes the switch 213,which starts operation of the mainl drive motor |30, which latter, through chains |34, cranks |39 .and |59 and-chains- |4| and |02, lowers the plate |60. The roller |32 moves along the cam-plate- |92 to place the arms |f65 and HiB-in positionv to engage and pick up the box. The arms |65 and |66 then engage a box,l raising it. u As the box rises, the cross members 201 are-pushedout of the path until the box ishigh enough to be engaged .by the ledge 208-, whereupon the cross members move inward in position lso that the lower ends of the boxare engaged- The apparatus continues to` operate andYW-,hen a half revolution has been made and the .plate |601 isin itslower position, switch 325 is opened, but the ,circuit remains complete through switch 32| and switch 248. When the eighth box is lifted, the longer peg 228 of the timing plater 2-26strikes the cam surface 238- of the lever 23?', and, as previouslyvdescribed, moves the end 243- of the arm 242-out .of engagement with. the lever 29,4. At the sametime-the lever 241 opens one side ofthe switch-248,closing the other side ofthe switch and putting it in the circuit to continueY the operation vof the motor |30;V The cam .32`3-again`opens. switch 32|, stopping thernachinenat the top ofthe stroke.

The ninth. box is then delivered to thev apparatus, closing switch 13, and asthe plate |60 descends, through the lever 240V and thev arm 250, the lower plate 200 `is also caused to descend, lowering vthe table frame'ZG.. As the plate |60 descends, the rod 204, being xed at its outer v end, moves the .box supporting means I5 out of engagement withv the stack, permittingthe stack to be lowered onto the ninth boxafterwhich the complete stack isconveyed by chains 280 and 28| away from. the. machine., Whenthe stack has cleared the machine it eng-ages the lever- 302, closing the switch 3.01,- starting the motor I3!)` to put the, apparatus back into positionto start the-next stack..

Switch 4,5 is connected in series with switch 1.3A to. stop incoming chainsl in. the event of a second b'o-x-.comingonto the initial conveyor before the rst hasl beenmoved into the stacker. Another safety. switch 2|5 is opened when the plate, 20.0` isin its down .position to prevent a box cominginto. the apparatus before the stack is moved away. When the' boxes one toV eight are being stacked, switch 320 perf0rms the saine functionasswitch 2 I5..

Referring now primarily. tothe schematic wiringl diagramof Fig. 15 electricalcurrent is brought to the machine through leads 350 and 35|. through a. master switch 352. Emergency switch V3|6 .is normally closed and by means of le'ad l3.5.3 connected, to one side of the switch 3|6,.and lead 3,513v connected to lead 353, and lead 355'` connected to lead 350, the motor |06 is continuously operated. Lead 356, connected to lead 35.3, and lead. 351.,- connected to lead 350, maintain the motor. 300 in. constant operation Motor .1-5is maintained in continuous operation through .switch 13: andV lead 358, lead 359. and lead 360 and when switch 13 is opened vthrough switch y3.5, which acts as an emergency switch, preventinga box `from entering uponv the table 265 when another box is already there.

e When. the lever 10 is depressed, switch 13 is moved, allowing current to flow through leads 36| and 362 to switch 21,5. and through lead 363 to switch S29-and thereby through lead 364 to solenoid.. |08, the circuit being completed by lead 365,v connected to lead 350, causing the core of solenoid to be moved to engage the clutch '|01 and causingI the motor |06 to drive the to lead 350, causing the motor' |30 to start. While the closing of switch 218 is only momentary, power is continued to be supplied to the motor |30 through switch 32 I, closed by the movement of the cam 323 from the switch roller. o IFrom switch 32| current iiows through lead 368 to switch 248 and through lead 330 to lead 351 to-the motor |30. Switch 248 is opened only after the stacking of the last box. The switch 325 is then opened and the motor y|30 stopped. The passing of .the stack over lever 302 closes switch 30|, allowing current to flow through leads 310,. 31|, 312, 313 and into 361 to again start motor |30 to return the machine to its original position to start another stack.

When switch 30| is open current may pass from-lead 31| to lead 312 through switch 325 and lead 314, which is connected to 301, to keep motor` |30 in operation. The machine having returned to its original position is now ready to receive ano-ther series of boxes to be stacked.

Having thus described my invention and the present preferred embodiments thereof, I desire to emphasize the fact that many modifications may be resorted to in a manner limited only by ajust interpretation of the following claims, whereinl'cla'im:

1. In a box stacking apparatus, a box stacking station, means for moving a box to the station, stack supporting means mounted to move to and .from supporting position, means urging said stack supporting means to supporting position, box lifting means Vat said station and operable to lift a box to a position to be engaged by the supporting means, means to cause said lifting means to release a box when in position to be engaged by the supporting means and to return to box receiving position, means to cause .said lifting means to repeatedly operate until a desired numberof. boxes has been stacked, one beneath the other, a discharge conveyor, means operable to place the lowermost box of a stack on the discharge 4co-nveyor and means to cause said stack supporting means to move to box releasing position to permit the previously formed stack of boxes to be deposited on the said lowermost box.

2. Ina box stacking apparatus, a box stacking station, means for moving a box to the station,

stack supporting means mounted to move to and from box supporting position, means urging said stack supporting means to box supporting position, boxlifting means at said station and operable to lift a box to a position to be engaged Vby the supporting means, means tov cause said lifting means to release a box when inposition to be engaged by the supporting means, means to cause said lifting means to repeatedly operate until a `desired number of boxes has been lifted and stacked, one upon the other, and means to cause said .stack `supporting means to move to releasing position to permit the previously stacked boxes to be deposited on a box below the stacked boxes.

3. In a box stacking apparatus, a box stacking station, means for moving a box to the station, stack supporting means mounted to move to and from box supporting position, means urging said stack supportingv means to supportingposition,

box lifting means mounted adjacent to said station and operable to lift a box at the station'hto a position to be engaged by the supportingm'eans, means to cause said lifting means to rel'elf-isev-` a box when in position to be .engaged by the supporting means, timing mechanism to cause said lifting means to repeatedly operate until Tadesired number of boxes has been stacked, a dis.- charge conveyor disposed adjacent to said table and adapted to receive a stack of boxes, said tim,- ing mechanism including means operable toplace the lowermost box of a stack on the discharge conveyor and means to cause said stack supporting means to move to releasing position to permit the vpreviously stacked boxes to be deposited on the `said loweimost. box. I 'j 4. In a box handling apparatus, spaced. feed conveyor chains, vmeans to'drive said conveyor chains, a set of box conveying rollers adjacent to said feed conveyor and adapted to receive boxes from-said feed conveyor chains, a box'stacling station adjacent to and at one side of said rollers, a pair of spaced plates at said station, means 'to mount said plates'for'verti'cal reciprocationgja stack supporting frame supported by'said plates, a set ofv rollers on said frame, spaced chainsadjacent to said first set of rollers, said chains being disposed at right angles to said first mentioned "rollers and for moving said' box axially along chainsfor engaginga box on said first set "of the rst set of rollers onto the second set rof rollers, means for lifting a box on saidsecond set of rollers and means carried by vsaid plates for supporting a box lifted by said lifting. means.

5. In a'box stacking apparatus, a box supporting table, means for moving a box onto the tabl-e, box lifting means mounted'adjacent to the table and adapted to engage and lift a box onv the table, means to loperate said lifting means, stack. supporting means mounted to move to and from box supporting position, means urging said supporting means to box supporting position, lmeans to cause said lifting means to release a box when in position to be engaged by the supporting means, timing mechanism to `cause'said lifting means to repeatedly operate until a desired number of boxes vhas'been stacked, a dischargeconveyor disposed adjacent to said table and adapted to receive astaek of boxes.,` said timing mechanism including means operable when the lov ermost box of a stack has been placed in position on the table to cause relative vertical movement between the table and the discharge conveyor to place said lowermost box on the discharge oon- `veyor and means to cause said stacksupporting means to movey to releasing position to permit the stacked box to engage the box thereunder;`

' 6. In a box stacking apparatus, a box supporting table, means for moving abox Qntothev table, stack supporting means mounted'to move to and from box supporting'position, means urging said stack supporting means to box supporting position, box lifting means mounted adjacent to said table and operable 'to lift a box from said table to a position to be engaged by the supporting means, means to cause said lifting means' to release a box when imposition to be engaged by the supporting means, timing mechanism to cause said lifting means to repeatedly operate until a desired number of boxes hasbeen stacked, a discharge conveyor disposedadjacent to said Vtable and adaptedto receive a stack of boxes, said timing mechanism including Lmeans operable when a 11 12 box which is to be the lowermost box of a stack charge conveyor chains disposed below said table has been placed in position on the table to cause and adapted to receive a stack of boxes, said lmeans to ,engagev the end of a `box.at`the stacking station, means to alternately raise and lower `arms' pivotally mounted on said table mounting means, means urging said last mentioned arms to boxengaging position, means whereby said supporting arms are separated byan ascending box passing "therebetween,` timing mechanism operable step by step to cause said ylifting arms to reciprocate until a desired number of boxes has been stacked, discharge conveyor chainsfat the stacking station and disposed below said table and adapted to receive a stack ofv boxes, said timing mechanismy inc'uding means operable when the lowermost box of a stack has been placed in position on the table to cause downward movement of the table mounting means to lower said last placed box onto the discharge conveyor chains, and means to cause said stack supporting' arms to beY withdrawn from beneath' the stacked boxes to cause the `stack Vto descend onto the box thereunder.

13. IneJ box stacking apparatus, a box stacking station, a box supportingv table at said station, means to mount said table for vertical reciprocation, means for moving a box onto the tablefa pair of lifting'arms'meanfs to reciprocallymount said lifting arms at each end of a box on the table,

eachfofsaid arms having an inwardly directed lip adapted to engage beneath a box at the stackingstation, means to alternately raise and lower said; lifting arms, means mountingsaid arms for movement towards and from eachother, means normally holding said arms in box engaging position at the bottom of their travel, cam means causing said arms to separate at the upperlimit lof Vtheir movement, a pair 4of stackisupporting arms pivotally mounted on said table mounting means, means urgingsaid last mentioned arms to box engaging position, means whereby said supporting arms are separated by an ascending ,box -passing therebetween, timing mechanism operable step by step to cause said lifting arms to reciprocate until a desiredV number oiboxes has been stacked, `discharge conveyor chains at the stacking station and `disposed below said table and ladapted to receive a sta-ck of boxes, said timing mechanism including means operablev `When;the `lowermost box of a stack has been placed in position on vthe table to cause down-l ward movement of the table mounting means to lower said 'last placed box onto the discharge conveyory and means to cause said stack supporting arms to be withdrawn fromV beneath the stacked boxes to cause the stack to descend onto -thebox thereunder.

- 14. In a box stacking apparatus, -a box stackingstation, ka box supportingv table at said station,

and'lower said lifting armsmeans mounting said armsV for movement towards and from each other, means normally holding said arms in boxengagingr position at the bottom of their travel, cam

14 means causing said arms to separate at the vupper limit of their movement, a pair of stack supporting arms pivotally mounted on said table mounting meansfmeans urging said last mentioned arms to box engaging position, timing mechanism operable stepy by step to cause said lifting arms to reciprocate until a desired'number of boxes has been stacked, discharge conveyor chains at the stacking station and disposed below said table and adapted to receive a stack o'f boxes, said timing mechanism including means operable when 'the lowermost box of a stack has been placed in position on the table to cause downward movement of the table mounting means to lower said last placed box onto the discharge conveyor and means operated by downward movement of said mounting means to cause said stack supporting arms to be withdrawn from beneath the stacked boxes to cause the stack to descend vonto the box thereunder.

\ 15. In a box stacking apparatus, a box stacking station, a pair of supporting plates `at said station, means to mount said plates for vertical reciprocation, a stack supporting frame supported by said plates, a set of rollers on said table forming frame, means for moving a box axially onto the table forming rollers, a pair of lifting arms, means to reciprocally mount said lifting arms at each end of a box at the stacking station, each of said arms vhaving an inwardly `directedlip adapted to engage beneath a box at the stacking station, means to alternately raise and lower said lifting arms, means mounting saidarms for movement towards and from each other, spring means normally holding said arms in box engaging position at the bottom of their travel, cammeans causing said arms to separate at the upper li-mit of their movement, a pair of stack supporting arms pivotally mounted o n said supporting plates, means urging said last mentionedA arms to box engaging position, means whereby said supporting arms are separated by an ascending box passing therebetween, timing mechanism operable step by steppto cause said lifting arms to reciprocate until a desired number of boxes has been stacked, discharge conveyor chains at the stacking station and disposed below said table rollers and adapted to receive a stack of boxes, said timing mechanism .including means operable when the lowermost box of a Astack has been placed in position on the'table rollers to cause downward movement of the rst set of plates to lower said last placed box onto the discharge conveyor and means operated by downward movement of said nrst pair of plates to cause said stack supporting armsV to be withdrawn from beneath the stacked lboxes to cause the stack to descend onto the box thereunder.

16. In a box stacking apparatus, a box stacking station, a pair of supporting plates at sa'id station, means to mount said plates for vertical reciprocation, astack supporting table supported by said plates, means for moving a box onto the table, a pair of lifting arms, means to reciprocally mount said lifting arms at each' end of a box at the stacking station, said arms havingV inwardly directed lips adapted to engage beneath a box at the stacking station, means to alternately raise and lower said lifting arms, means normally holding said arms in box engaging position at the bottom of their travel, means causing said arms to separate at the upper limit of their movement, stack supporting arms pivotally mounted on said supporting plates, means normally urging said last vmentioned armsto `box engaging position, means whereby said supporting arms are separated by an ascending box passing therebetween, timing mechanism operable step by step to cause said lifting plates to reciprocate until a desired number of boxes has been stacked, discharge conveyor means at the stacking station and disposed below said table and adapted to receive a stack of boxes, said timing mechanism including means operable when the lowermost box of a stack has been placed in position on the table to cause downward movement of the first set of plates to lower said last placed box onto the discharge conveyor and means to cause said stack supporting arms to' be withdrawn from beneath the stacked boxes to cause the stack to descend onto the box thereunder.

, ll?. In a box stacking apparatus, a box stacking station, a pair of supporting plates at said station, means to mount said plates for vertical ,reciprocatiom a stack supporting frame sup- ?ponted by said plates, a set of rollers on said table vforming frame, means for moving a box onto the table forming rollers, a pair of lifting arms, means to reciprocally ymount said lifting arms vat each end of a box at the stacking station, said arms having inwardly directed lips .adapted'to engage beneath a box at the stacking station, means to alternately raise and lower said lifting arms, means normally holding said arms inbox engaging position at the bottom of their travel, means causing said arms to separate at lthe upper limit of their movement, stack supporting arms pivotally mounted on said supporting plates, means normally urging said last mentioned arms to box engaging position, means whereby said supporting arms are separated by an ascending box passing therebetween, timing mechanism operable step by step to cause said -rlifting plates to reciprocate until a desired number-of box-es has been stacked, discharge conveyor chains at the stacking station and disposed below said table yrollers and adapted to receive a stack of boxes, said timing mechanism including means operable when the lowermost box of a stack has been placed in position on the table rollers to cause downward movement of the first fset `of plates to lower said last placed box onto the discharge conveyor and means operated by downward movement of said first pair of plates to causesaid stack supporting arms to be withdrawn from beneath the stacked boxes to cause the stack to descend onto the box thereunder.

1-8. In a box stacking apparatus, spaced feed conveyor chains, a set of box conveying rollers adjacent to said chains and adapted to receive boxes from said chains, a box stacking station adjacent to and at one sideof said rollers, a pair of supporting plates at said station, means to mount said plates for vertical reciprocation, a table forming frame supported by said plates, a set of rollers on said table forming frame, means for engaging a box on said conveying rollers and `for moving said box axially along the conveying rollers onto the table forming rollers, a pair oi lifting arms, means to reciprocally mount said lifting arms at each end of a box at the stacking station, said arms having inwardly directed lips adapted to engage beneath a box at the stacking station, means to alternately raise and lower said lifting arms, means normally holding said arms in box engaging position at the bottom of their travel, means causing said arms to separate at the upper limit of their movement, stack supporting arms pivotally mounted on said supporting plates, means normally urging said last mentioned arms to box engaging position, means whereby said supporting arms are separated by an ascending box passing therebetween, timing mechanism operable step by step to cause said lifting plates to reciprocate until a Vdesired number of boxes has been stacked, discharge conveyor chains at the stacking station and disposed below said table rollers and adapted to receive a stack of boxes, said timing mechanism including means operable when the lowermost box of a stack has been placed in position on the table rollers to cause downwardmovement of the rst set of plates to lower said last placed box onto the discharge conveyor and meansoperated by downward movement of said 'first pair of plates to cause said stack supporting arms to be withdrawn from beneath the stacked boxes to cause the stack to descend onto the box thereunder.

19. In a box stacking apparatus, spaced feed conveyor chains, a set of box conveying rollers adjacent to `said chains and adapted to receive boxes from said chains, a box stacking station adjacent to and at one side of said rollers, a pair of supporting plates at said station, means to mount said plates for vertical reciprocation, a table forming frame supported by said plates, a set of rollers on said table forming frame, means for engaging a box on said conveying rollers and for moving said box axially along the conveying rollers onto the table forming rollers, a pair of lifting plates, means to reciprocally mount said lifting plates at each end of a box at the stacking station, a pivoted box lifting arm carried by each of said lifting plates, each of said arms having an .inwardly directed lip adapted to engage vbeneath a box at the stacking station, means to alternately raise vand lower said lifting plates to thereby alternately raise and lower lsaid arms, means normally holding said arms in box engaging position at the bottom of the travel of the lifting plates, means causing said arms to separate at the upper limit of their movement, stack supporting arms pivotally mounted on said supporting plates, means normally urging said last mentioned arms to box engaging position, means whereby said Supporting arms are separated by an ascending box passing therebetween, timing mechanism operable' step by step to cause said lifting plates to reciprocate until a desired num- 'stack of boxes, said timing mechanism including means operable when the lowermost box of a stack has been placed inposition on the table rollers to cause downward movement of the rst set of plates tolower said last placed box onto the dislcharge conveyor and means operated by downward movement of said first pair of plates to cause 'said stack supporting arms to be withdrawn from beneath the stacked boxes to cause the stack to descend onto the box thereunder.

20. In aV box stacking apparatus, a box stacking station, means for moving a box to the station, a lifting arm reciprocally mounted at each end of a box at the station and mounted to moveto and from box engaging position, means to alternately raise and lower said lifting arms, means for moving said arms to and from box engaging position, la pair of stack supporting arms at the station, means to mount said stack supporting arms for movement to and from box supporting position,

-means urging said supporting arms to box sup- `porting position, means to cause said lifting arms 18 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name DateV 1,292,636 Parker Jan. 28, 1919 1,939,891 Glahn et a1. Dec. 19, 1933 1,954,278 Adams Apr. 10, 1934 2,313,478 Neja Mar. 9, 1943 

